Hurley school officials say security essential for learning

By TOM LAVENTURE

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Hurley - As the 2019-20 school year approaches administrators of area school districts said funding has allowed security upgrades in an ongoing effort to provide a safe learning environment.

"Student safety is our number one priority," said Jason Gustafson, superintendent of Wakefield-Marenisco School District. "In order for students to learn effectively, they must feel safe in their learning environment."

The school district has invested heavily into security over the past year, he said. Security cameras have been installed throughout the campus and all exterior doors have been replaced.

The central office is now located directly inside the main entrance, he said. All visitors enter through the entrance that is equipped with a camera and buzzer system, he said.

"Having the office on the first floor creates a safer and more secure environment for students and staff," Gustafson said. "In addition to these safety measures, school safety plans are updated annually. School safety drills are conducted to ensure we are prepared to act in the event of a crisis."

Kevin Genisot, district administrator for the Hurley School District, said security measures are constantly monitored and improved. Violence across the United States is a reminder that times have changed and that schools need to stay vigilant, he said.

"It doesn't mean we need to be scared or paranoid, it just means we need to have a greater awareness to our surroundings, whether we are at school, a business or at a public event," Genisot said. "It's the world we live in and one we need to prepare our students for each year."

Locked doors with video surveillance and a buzzer entry system are the most visible sign of security, he said. There are also panic buttons throughout the campus and more than 50 cameras inside and outside of the school that are monitored by the administration and police, he said.

Hurley School District recently received a $71,400 grant for security updates, he said. Some will not be announced to better provide the intended protections of the upgrades, he said.

The school district has a strong relationship with the Iron County Sheriff's Office and Hurley Police Department and the departments assist with drills and discussing scenarios with staff and students, he said. A student evacuation drill will be held in September with the focus on educating students and staff on what to do in an event of an emergency, he said.

"We take every precaution not to alarm or scare our students as our main goal is to create awareness and preparedness," Genisot said.

The school staff carry lanyards with reminders on expectations of what to do in the event of a code yellow or code red scenario, Genisot said. Around 15 staff members carry a handheld communication device with them daily to allow for immediate contact with law enforcement in the event of a situation, he said.

The teachers are also involved in school safety measures and the topic is part of the August in-service training, he said. The staff work closely with Iron County Human Services and provide mental health counseling for students through the medical providers NorthLakes and Memorial Medical.

"We have very in-tuned staff and work closely to monitor our students," Genisot said.

Even with all of the upgrades and planning it really comes down to parents, students, staff and community members to immediately report suspicious or potentially dangerous activity, he said.

"If you are aware of something but just unsure if you should say anything, say something, it's that simple," Genisot said.

If they know someone who is struggling then there is an array of support services to help people in the school and community, he said.

Ironwood Area Schools has hired a new counselor, Amanda Koshollek, who will provide social and emotional learning needs for students, said Travis Powell, superintendent.

"She will be able to provide our students and staff with a venue for discussing and analyzing emotional needs in order to hopefully prevent anyone from falling through the cracks if they need mental health services or support," Powell said.

The ongoing violent events around the country including this summer offer pause to re-evaluate the level of safety for the school buildings and grounds, he said. The door buzzer system is an obvious security measure with security cameras so office staff can acknowledge visitors before granting entry.

"While we can never guarantee complete safety, we do aim to minimize or eliminate as many risks as we are reasonably able," Powell said.

The Bessemer, Gogebic-Ontonagon Independent and Mercer, Wisconsin school districts have also reported recent security upgrades through special grants or as part of renovations.